Esteban Chaves (Orica-Scott) has suffered a fracture that leaves him out of racing for the rest of the season. The Colombian crashed out of the Giro Dell'Emilia in Italy.

During the last kilometres of the race, Chaves was leading the peloton to catch escapee Giovanni Visconti (Bahrain-Merida) when he lost control in one of the curves of the descent and crashed heavily on his right side.

X-rays showed a fracture of the shoulder blade and despite getting positive results of brain scans, he will remain in the hospital for observation overnight due to a hard hit he suffered to the head.

The Colombian is disappointed that the season is over for him without the possibility to defend his title in Il Lombardia. "This is not how I wanted to finish my 2017 season, especially without the opportunity to return to Lombardia after such special memories last year, but this is the way it is and we now focus on the recovery and next season," he commented.

"It’s just a bone and there are much bigger challenges in life, we are lucky. We will return from this and I’m looking forward to a new year in 2018. I want to thank the team and the hospital staff for looking after me so well and to the fans for all of their kind messages and thoughts. It means a lot, thank you. I am good."

Orica-Scott race doctor Matteo Beltemacchi explained the injuries the rider sustained. "Esteban has a fracture of the right shoulder blade. An operation is not necessary on this type of fracture, but he will require approximately 15 days’ rest with his right arm immobilised before some therapy to re-strengthen the region.

"It will finish his 2017 early, but will not have an effect on his 2018 preparations."